Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Growing systems and methods

A container and guide rail technology, applied in the lighting field of mechanized plant cultivation system, to achieve the effect of improving efficiency and increasing crop yield

Active Publication Date: 2019-04-26
OCADO INNOVATION
View PDF15 Cites 1 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The challenge is to achieve an even distribution of light

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Growing systems and methods
  • Growing systems and methods
  • Growing systems and methods

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , stackable containers, referred to as containers 10 , are stacked on top of each other to form a stack 12 . The stack 12 is arranged in a frame structure 14 in a warehouse or manufacturing environment. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a frame structure 14 and FIG. 2 is a top-down view showing a single stack 12 of containers 10 arranged within the frame structure 14 . Each container 10 typically holds multiple product items (not shown), and the product items within containers 10 may be the same, or may be of different product types depending on the application.

[0037] The frame structure 14 includes a plurality of upright members 16 supporting horizontal members 18 , 20 . A first set of parallel horizontal members 18 is arranged perpendicular to a second set of parallel horizontal members 20 to form a plurality of horizontal lattice structures supported by upright members 16 . The members 16, 18, 20 are typically made of metal. Th...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A growing system is described where plants are grown in containers 110 and the containers 110 are stored in stacks 12. Above the stacks 12 runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices30 run. The load handling devices 30 take containers 110 from the stacks 12 and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit them at stations where goods may be picked out. The containers 110 may be provided with one or more of the following services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensing means, data logging means, growing means, water and nutrients. The system further comprises deployable lighting means 60 capable of lighting each container 110 from above when in use but moveable to a stored location when not required. The provision of these such lightingmeans 60 within individual containers 110 rather than across the system as a whole, allows for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency and enables multiple crops to be grown in asingle area.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to cultivation systems and methods. More particularly but not exclusively, the invention relates to lighting for mechanized plant cultivation systems. [0002] This application claims priority from UK patent application number GB 1615751.3 filed 15 September 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [0003] In addition, the subject matter of UK patent applications numbered GB1606678.9, GB1606684.7 and GB1606679.7 is incorporated herein by reference. Background technique [0004] Conventional systems and methods for growing certain crops are well known. Most crops require large areas of land and need to be placed in proper locations according to the conditions required by the crop to be grown. [0005] More recently, advanced farming techniques such as hydroponics have made it possible to grow high-quality crops indoors with full use of lighting, water, and fertilizers. However, these systems ar...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): A01G9/14A01G31/06B65G1/04
CPCA01G31/06A01G7/045A01G9/023A01G9/1423A01G9/246A01G9/249A01G9/26B65G57/30B65G1/04B65G1/0464A01G9/143A01K1/0076A01K1/031Y02P60/21A01G18/60A01G9/02B65G2201/0235Y02A40/25A01G9/247
Inventor 安德鲁·约翰·英格拉姆-泰德拉斯·斯威克·图雷·林德伯马克·斯塔布斯大卫·格肯
Owner OCADO INNOVATION